Silk covered breast implant

Abstract

The present specification provides for methods for purifying fibroins, purified fibroins, methods of conjugating biological and synthetic molecules to fibroins, fibroins conjugated to such molecules, methods of making fibroin hydrogels, fibroin hydrogels and fibroin hydrogel formulations useful for a variety of medical uses, including, without limitation uses as bulking agents, tissue space fillers, templates for tissue reconstruction or regeneration, cell culture scaffolds for tissue engineering and for disease models, surface coating to improve medical device function, or drug delivery devices.

1 . A breast implant partially or completely covered with silk. 
     
     
         2 . The breast implant of  claim 1 , wherein the silk is silk fibroin. 
     
     
         3 . The breast implant of  claim 2 , wherein the silk is a silk fibroin hydrogel. 
     
     
         4 . The breast implant of  claim 3 , wherein the silk fibroin hydrogel provides a beneficial interface with host tissue and reduces the potential for malpositioning or capsular contracture. 
     
     
         5 . The breast implant of  claim 4 , wherein the silk fibroin hydrogel is present as a wrap-like configuration on a silicone filled breast implant used in breast reconstruction or breast augmentation surgery.